Top Docs: Profiles

Dr. Mary Glodé

Pediatric Infectious DiseaseDirector of the department of pediatric infectious disease at the Children's Hospital; Professor of pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine—Practicing for 29 years, director for five years

Colorado Statistic Since 2000, Colorado has twice held the distinction of being ranked 50th in the nation for childhood immunization rates for primary immunization series.

"Each year, CDC (Centers for Disease Control) conducts an immunization survey of children aged 19 to 35 months to determine what percent of children in this age group have received all their recommended vaccines. The low immunization rate in Colorado in 2002-2003 was multi-factorial and was related to several different issues: a vaccine shortage for one particular vaccine, a lack of a 'medical home' for many children in Colorado, a lack of access to care, and lack of an immunization information system that would help medical providers know which vaccines a child had received if they changed providers. Colorado has made tremendous strides in improving immunization rates in children. In the spring of 2007, the CDC highlighted Colorado as one of two states in the country with the most significant increase in immunization rates in young children. Colorado had risen to one of the top 20 states in the county. The Colorado Immunization Information System allows medical providers to easily determine which vaccines a child has received and which vaccines are still needed. This has been very helpful to families and children, especially when they change providers, or move, or have a change in insurance that results in a need to change their medical home."

Food for Thought "A few years ago, the Institute of Medicine reviewed all the available information on vaccines and autism and concluded that there is strong evidence showing that vaccines do not cause autism in children. Having served on the FDA Advisory Committee on Vaccines, I can verify that vaccines are extensively tested for both safety and effectiveness before they are licensed for use in children."

Best Health Advice "Over half of vaccine-preventable diseases occur in children less than age two, so it's very important to be sure that our young children are up to date on immunizations."

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The American Society of Interior Designers' (ASID) Colorado Chapter decorated the Governor's Residence for the holidays. Holiday tours, free and open to the public, will take place December 8-11 and December 15-18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All photos by Sarah Boyum